You keep lyin' when you oughta be truthin'

But first: here's how to read more — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today [theSkimm Logo] [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( April 17, 2024 Daily Skimm But first: here's [how to read more]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Update location]( or [View forecast]( “I didn’t know it would cause such a stir” — [Serena WIlliams]( on her iconic catsuit at the 2018 French Open. Purr. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Serena WIlliams has thoughts on her iconic catsuit #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) Top Story [Students are seen on campus at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, California, on April 16, 2024. ] USC The Story The University of Southern California has [canceled]( its valedictorian’s graduation speech. How come? Earlier this week, USC pulled Asna Tabassum from the lineup of graduation speakers due to security concerns. The university announced Tabassum, a first-generation South Asian-American Muslim, as valedictorian earlier this month. But pro-Israel groups on campus [criticized]( the decision, saying Tabassum “promotes antisemitic views” and pointing to her social media support for Palestinians. In a campus-wide letter, the USC provost [cited unnamed threats]( as a reason for the cancellation. The Council on American-Islamic Relations [condemned]( the decision as “cowardly,” and Tabassum said USC “abandoned” her. Now, the university’s rare move has put a new spotlight on college campuses as they grapple with preserving free speech. Tell me more. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, protests at college campuses have put the debate over [free speech]( front and center. Administrators from Ivy League schools have faced scrutiny over their handling of antisemitic and anti-Muslim threats on campus, leading some officials to [step down](. Last week, the Anti-Defamation League gave Harvard University and a dozen other schools an “F” for [failing to protect]( students against antisemitism. That’s as reports of Islamophobia on campuses have also been [on the rise](. The debate over what’s happening on campuses is far from over. Today, Columbia University's president is set to [testify before Congress]( on its handling of campus protests related to the war in Gaza. theSkimm USC is the latest university to face backlash over how it has addressed on-campus tensions amid the Israel-Hamas war. As graduation season approaches, commencement ceremonies could take center stage in the free speech debate across college campuses. Related Stories: - [What Columbia University’s President Plans To Tell Congress]( - [Here Is the House Committee Interrogating College Officials]( - [A Timeline of How the Israel-Hamas War Took Over US Campuses]( And Also...This What the Supremes are weighing in on… [The Jan 6 fallout](. Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard arguments on a key federal charge that’s been used in hundreds of cases tied to the Capitol riots. The Justice Department charged more than 300 people with obstruction, saying they tried to stop the 2020 election certification. But one former police officer says the DOJ overstepped and misused the felony charge. Now, his case has reached the Supreme Court. If the justices rule against the DOJ, hundreds of people could see their obstruction charges cleared — including former President Trump, who faces two obstruction charges in one of his criminal cases. SCOTUS is expected to issue its decision in June. …Oh and speaking of the high court, Justice Clarence Thomas was back on the bench after [being MIA](. He’s facing criticism for reportedly [minimizing]( the events that took place on Jan 6. --------------------------------------------------------------- What’s raising new alarms… [Artificial intelligence](. Yesterday, a new report warned that child sexual exploitation is on the rise, in part because of AI. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) said incidents of online child abuse rose by more than 12% last year compared to 2022, tallying up to more than 36 million reports. More than 4,500 of those reports involved images or videos made by generative AI. NCMEC said AI generated images make it harder to identify real child victims. The center also said it saw an uptick in cases of [financial sextortion](. --------------------------------------------------------------- What could be taking its dupes too far… [Shein](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Who’s finding ways to stay busy while his boo is away… [Travis Kelce](. --------------------------------------------------------------- What might pair well with tea and crumpets... [Meghan Markle’s jam](. --------------------------------------------------------------- While [Beyoncé]( could sway the shoe game… [Crocs]( is entering the snacks game. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=SCOTUS is divided. AI is generating images of child sexual exploitation. And Crocs is packing snacks #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) RUN WILD [Together with]( [Athleta]( [Athleta’s new run collection]( is your partner for all the miles ahead. We love… [Woman wearing turquoise athleta set]( These quick-drying, weightless leggings that’ll keep you cool. Complete with a waistband that won’t roll or lift during workouts. [Get dressed]( [woman wearing black athleta shorts set]( These light-as-air shorts made for trail runs. Which have easy-access pockets for all your running essentials. [Buy two]( [woman wearing bright green athleta jacket]( This bright, buttery soft jacket. It’s water-repellent and comes with a stowable hood, making it your go-to for every kind of weather. [Gear up]( Shop Now [23 Lazy Cleaning Product for Wehn you just can't]( Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… Your last chance to invest in a female-founded AI startup. [This Harvard-built venture]( grew 5x last year by building the Spotify of news. They help readers bypass article paywalls and offer AI-powered content recs, all while supporting newsrooms. PS: [Investing closes next week](.* [Don’t miss it]( --------------------------------------------------------------- A selection of cool product launches, courtesy of one shopping editor. Because it's vitally important that you know about this [brow gel]( before it sells out again. [Check them out]( --------------------------------------------------------------- How to make spring cleaning more fun, according to a home organizer. Turn on your favorite playlist, open the windows, and get those puffer coats stuffed (neatly) [under your bed](. [Tidy up]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Products that'll save you time and energy. Protect your most precious resources with a [two-in-one hair dryer](, an instant [wine bottle opener](, and [more](. [Add to cart]( Psst…love our recs? Follow [@skimmshopping]( on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag). On Our Radar A Senate bill that could [hit credit card points hard]( if it passes. In addition to potentially impacting your card’s security, this legislation could also significantly impact the future of your points — including cash back and travel rewards. Learn more [here](.* Crossword [puzzletime]( Looking for a crossword that’s not impossible to solve? You’re in luck. [This one]( even offers hints when you get stuck. The faster you finish, the better your score — and the more impressed the group chat will be. [Go on](. Meet Us On The Leaderboard [Flipart]( | [Spelltower]( | [Crossword]( | [Typeshift]( Skimm'rs We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community. (Some) Birthdays…Bridget Armstrong (NY), Shira Tarrant (CA), Natalie Posdaljian (AZ), Luke Condy (TN), Laura O'Connell (WA), Meghan Shoemaker (TX), Jack Rodgers (VA), Margo Schwartz (FL), Karie Loeser (OH), Walter Pisano (NJ), Tara Collins (GA), Julie Lang (TX), Michelle Ford (NC), Chelse Hall (TX), Olivia Almanza (VA). PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out [here]( for a chance to be featured. Skimm'd by: Anacaona Rodriguez Martinez, Chantal Vaca, Marina Carver, and Maria del Carmen Corpus --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by Robyn Beck / AFP via Getty Images. Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? [Subscribe to all theSkimm has to offer](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Instagram Icon]( [Tik Tok Icon]( [Linkedin Logo]( [Twitter icon]( [Facebook icon]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? [help@theSkimm.com](mailto:help@theskimm.com) [Advertise with us]( | [Careers]( [See our full sponsor agreement]( | [Update Your Preferences]( or [Unsubscribe]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 2024 theSkimm, All rights reserved. TheSkimm, Daily Skimm, and all Skimm-based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of TheSkimm, Inc. 53 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10010